500 celebrate the start of SunRail

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS — Florida's top transportation administrator promised Friday to do his part to boost ridership on the SunRail commuter train.

Ananth Prasad, secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, said he would require his employees to use SunRail when they travel from their regional headquarters in DeLand in Volusia County to meetings in Orlando.

"This train has to be a success for the future of Florida," Prasad said during a groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of the Altamonte Springs train depot.

Nearly 500 people gathered under a tent and threatening skies to watch 10 politicians and transportation officials drive gold-painted spikes into timber to symbolize the beginnings of the $1.2 billion system.

"Thank God we are here," a jubilant Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said from a stage that held state and local officials, plus U.S. Reps. John Mica, R-Winter Park, and Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville.

Later, Mica also had news about plans to expand Interstate 4, Orlando's main traffic artery.

Next week, Mica plans to introduce a $260 billion highway bill that will outline policies and projects over the next five years. Included in the measure, Mica aides said, is a provision that would make it easier for states to add toll lanes to existing highways.

These so-called "Lexus lanes" only could be applied to newly constructed lanes but could clear the way for tolls to come to I-4. One toll-based plan by Florida transportation officials would add four lanes in the middle of I-4, two in each direction, from Kirkman Road to State Road 434.

For SunRail, the first 31 miles of what will be a 61-mile-long project is scheduled to be up and running by May 2014, linking DeBary in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and south Orange County, Prasad said.

Phase 2, which goes north to DeLand and south to Poinciana in Osceola County, will add five more depots. It is supposed to open in 2016.

Both Seminole County Commissioner Carlton Henley and Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington said a tax eventually would have to levied to support the train. FDOT is covering operation costs for the first seven years.

Prasad, who previously said the future of commuter trains in the state would ride with SunRail, urged the crowd to work on building ridership now for the Central Florida operation.

"Convince the people who live, work and play in the area to use SunRail," Prasad said.